Game guide · CQMELISSA
Learn the rules of River Crossing Puzzle
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. Everyone starts on the near bank. The farmer rows and can take at most one passenger. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
The classic single wolf–goat–cabbage puzzle, with one-passenger boat and seven-crossing optimal solution. No claim of a large level collection.
Give this approach a try
Check the rule below as you play. Cross alone or take someone on the same bank as the farmer. Unsafe crossings are rejected before the state changes. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
What you need to achieve
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Work through the instructions
- Everyone starts on the near bank. The farmer rows and can take at most one passenger.
- The wolf cannot stay with the goat without the farmer. The goat cannot stay with the cabbage without the farmer.
- Cross alone or take someone on the same bank as the farmer. Unsafe crossings are rejected before the state changes.
- Bring all four across. Use Undo or Restart to explore another sequence.
Choosing and moving on screen
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Put the rules into context
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Taking the goat first leaves the wolf with the cabbage, which is safe. Taking the wolf first would leave the goat with the cabbage and is refused. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
A mistake to avoid
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Answers about the rules and controls
On this page, what is the aim of River Crossing Puzzle?
Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, how do the controls work?
Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, can you show an example?
Taking the goat first leaves the wolf with the cabbage, which is safe. Taking the wolf first would leave the goat with the cabbage and is refused. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, which mistake should I avoid?
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
What rules and limits are used here?
The classic single wolf–goat–cabbage puzzle, with one-passenger boat and seven-crossing optimal solution. No claim of a large level collection. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. No download or player account is required.
Can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, why was my crossing refused?
It would leave the wolf with the goat or the goat with the cabbage without the farmer. No download or player account is required.
On this page, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
For this game, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. No download or player account is required.
